Overview
Plan.t is a user-centred task management app prototype, crafted in 2024 for Food Smiles, a Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) scheme in St Albans. Developed through in-depth research and iterative prototyping, it simplifies coordination, enhances engagement, and improves members' knowledge-sharing.
Validated by CSA participants, Plan.t was recognised by Falmouth University as an example of best practice in UX design.
UX Research
UX/UI/Content Design
Role
Durations
UX Research: 6 weeks
UX/UI Design: 6 weeks
Reflections
Working on Plan.t as a solo project was both challenging and highly educational. I had to be resourceful and experimental, constantly seeking creative solutions to enhance the Food Smiles community’s allotment experience. One key challenge was working with real members whose genuine needs had to be understood and met without overwhelming them.
Despite the limited quantitative metrics, the qualitative feedback was invaluable. Members were really happy with the result, expressing that such a tool would be very useful and significantly simplify life in the allotment.
This experience taught me to balance ambition with practicality and reinforced the importance of continuously searching, learning, experimenting and adapting, even when working independently.
Challenges
When I joined Food Smiles, a CSA scheme based in St Albans Hertfordshire, I noticed a major barrier to productivity: task management relied on handwritten notes pinned to a shed. New members struggled with unclear instructions, while experienced members hesitated to delegate tasks without structured guidance. This lack of organisation affected efficiency, engagement, and knowledge-sharing within the community.
Volunteers often relied on handwritten task lists and WhatsApp messages, which led to confusion about responsibilities.
Many reported that they felt overwhelmed or uncertain about what needed to be done upon arrival at the farm, leading to delays and inefficiencies.
Volunteers sometimes arrived without knowing which tasks were available or urgent.
There was no centralised way to track task progress, leading to duplicated efforts.
Weather conditions often disrupted plans, but no system helped adapt tasks dynamically.
Problem Statement
How can a user-centred approach enhance the user experience of a community-led agricultural scheme by addressing training, communication, and task management challenges while aligning with CSA principles?
Design Process
Food Smiles lacked a streamlined solution for task management and knowledge sharing. Research uncovered challenges with disorganised task lists, poor communication, and limited support for novice members.
I used the Design Thinking methodology to directly address users' needs, pain points, and goals.
Empathise
Understanding Volunteer Challenges
I began with user research and competitor analysis, identifying a market gap: existing tools lacked a seamless combination of task management, training, and communication for CSA members.
Through interviews and surveys, I mapped user pain points, revealing that members needed clearer instructions, an intuitive way to track progress, and AI-powered guidance to support learning.
User interviews and surveys with Food Smiles members highlighted the need for clear task instructions and better coordination.
We conducted semi-structured interviews with 7 CSA volunteers and surveyed 10 additional members. The research revealed that 80% of respondents found current coordination methods confusing, and 60% expressed interest in a more structured task allocation system.
Through thematic analysis of member feedback, I identified key challenges, such as the need for improving guidance for inexperienced members, simplifying the process of signing up hours and boosting engagement in task management.
These insights were reframed into How Might We (HMW) statements, guiding the design process to address user needs effectively.
Training/ Passing on expertise
How Might We …
enhance the expertise within Food Smiles?
How Might We …
enhance guidance for inexperienced members?
How Might We …
provide information in an efficient way for all members?
Encouraging proactivity and
responsibility engagement
How Might We …
make signing up their hours easy process for all users?
How Might We …
encourage all members to take on more responsibilities?
How Might We …
encourage members to be more proactive?
Define
Three Personas were created based on the results of the research analysis and the HMW statements created.
I created user journey maps for each persona to understand their needs and goals holistically:
Exploring AI
Volunteers often needed real-time guidance but lacked easy access to instructions, leading to uncertainty and delays.
To enhance volunteer autonomy, I explored AI-driven solutions, developing a custom GPT with OpenAI to:
Provide instant task explanations and farming advice.
Suggest weather-appropriate activities to improve planning.
Enhance volunteer autonomy, reducing the need for constant supervision.
Ideate
I developed an initial information architecture for the application to establish a clear structure and user flow.
The design process was guided by a commitment to usability and accessibility. By segmenting user flows, navigation becomes more intuitive, preventing cognitive overload and allowing users to focus on one task at a time—critical for maintaining engagement.
A clean, legible font was carefully chosen to enhance readability for all users, including those with visual impairments. High-contrast color combinations improve visibility, supporting users who may struggle with low-contrast interfaces.
Consistent spacing and visual hierarchy provide a clear, logical flow, intuitively guiding users from one step to the next. These choices align with usability heuristics and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), ensuring an inclusive experience for a diverse audience. The result is a more accessible, effective, and engaging user experience.
Wireframes
Wireframes played a crucial role in shaping the structure, flow, and usability of Plan.t, serving as a blueprint for the final design. For the main page, I developed and tested wireframes using heatmaps to track user interactions, helping me identify patterns and areas for improvement.
Final Prototype
Iteration and Feedback
Insights from the heatmap session revealed confusion around the task creator and task-list features.
To address this, I developed two distinct prototype versions:
Members’ Version: Designed with step-by-step guidance to support users in completing tasks independently.
Coordinators’ Version: Focused on enhancing task management, providing tools for task creation, assignment, and progress tracking.
User testing with five CSA volunteers revealed that while AI task recommendations were helpful, some volunteers preferred a more flexible approach. In response, I explored ways to balance automation with user control, ensuring AI suggestions complemented manual task assignment.
Plan.t Main Features
AI Assistance: I Introduced AI-driven task support to help users complete tasks independently.
Creator’s Hub: I developed the Creator’s Hub for coordinators to streamline task creation and guide members.
Step-by-step video instructions: I designed step-by-step video instructions in audio, visual, and written formats, making them accessible for all members, regardless of their experience or technological literacy.
Tailored User Experience – Designed distinct user flows and interfaces for coordinators and members, simplifying navigation and usability for all expertise levels.
Versioning: Created two app versions to cater specifically to the unique needs of each user group.
The final prototype is the result of thorough research, multiple iterations, and close collaboration with the wonderful Food Smiles community. Their valuable input guided the design process, ensuring that the solution was tailored to their needs and enhanced their experience managing tasks and staying engaged with their community.
Results
Plan.t was recognised by Falmouth University as an example of best UX practice and selected for use as an example project for future cohorts.
User testing results showed:
90% of user-testers felt the app helped them stay more organised.
85% of user-testers said it encouraged them to engage more actively with tasks.
Plan.t is scalable and adaptable for other CSA schemes and similar community projects, demonstrating its potential to improve task management and engagement beyond this case study.
Plan.t simplified volunteer coordination, making task management more efficient. Volunteers reported:
Clearer task distribution, reducing confusion.
Increased engagement, as they felt more in control of their contributions.
Positive feedback from Food Smiles, who saw improved workflow among members.
Future Plans
The development of Plan.t is an ongoing process. Future plans include:
Enhanced AI Integration: Expanding the AI functionalities to provide more personalised support for users based on their activity and feedback.
Watering Management Tool: Integrating a watering management tool to help members efficiently schedule and monitor irrigation tasks, ensuring optimal water usage.
Mobile and Desktop Versions: Developing desktop versions and improving the mobile app to ensure a seamless experience across all devices.
Partnerships with Other CSAs: Collaborating with other CSA schemes to refine and adapt Plan.t for broader use, incorporating feedback from diverse user groups.
Data Analytics: Integrating data analytics to track usage patterns and optimise the app’s functionality based on user behaviour and needs.
These developments will make Plan.t essential for CSA members, boosting engagement and productivity through personalisation. This tailored approach will support each scheme’s needs and advance sustainable agriculture.
Testimonials